In the pursuit of safe cycling and walking routes for people of all ages and levels of fitness the SITU cycling group is currently working on two key projects:
- a safe, family friendly cycling and walking route along the A66 from Penrith to Penruddock to meet up with the existing route from Penruddock to Keswick.
- see safe crossings for cyclists and pedestrians across the A66 at junctions so that pedestrians and cyclists can access the quiet lanes leading south to Matterdale, Hutton and Dacre, and north to Mungrisedale, Berrier and Greystoke.
We need to prove these routes and crossings would be used and that safe crossings are necessary. To do this we are conducting a survey with the communities surrounding these areas. We have developed a short questionnaire to go out in both paper and electronic form to visitors, residents, cycling clubs, community groups. Once we have the data we can work with other partners including National Highways, Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park to make things happen.
We know that once you have a safe cycling route in place it will get used. The new Keswick to Threlkeld cycling and walking route has been a huge success with upwards of 300,000 people – families, adults, groups – using it in the first year. Please help us by completing the short questionnaire HERE.
We also want to develop safe cycling routes on the quiet lanes around Matterdale and Mungrisedale available for residents, visitors, the old and the young.
The lanes around Matterdale and towards Mungrisedale are mostly quiet and are great for leisure cycling. Visitors to the many holiday cottages, holiday parks, pubs and hotels could leave the car at base, and enjoy a day out cycling and visits to local attractions. Those arriving without their own bikes can hire one of the e-bikes that are increasingly available through local operators. We are working on developing cycling routes of different lengths and difficulty that will be available through a free cycling app, or in a paper version, that can be accessed through your holiday accommodation. Residents too can enjoy these leisure cycle rides, and sample the refreshments at the cafes along the routes.”
